I just got a green spotted pufferfish 2 days ago and since i got it the water has gotten very cloudy.?

Question

Also he has gotten much less active. He is in a 10 gallon tank and I used 1 tsp. of instant ocean per gallon. Please help I dont want him to die.

Answer 1

I assume this was a new tank? If so the cloudiness is kind of normal bt it indicates a bacteria bloom. You need to do a 50% water change and then check your ammonia levels, more water may need to be changed to keep the ammonia level safe. Watch the ammonia very carefully for the next 2-3 weeks and change water whenever you need to keep the ammonia levels low. You want a little ammonia at this point, but not much at all. Eventually enough bacteria will build up in the tank to take care of the ammonia and you'll ony need to change about 25% every week to keep the tank clean.

Second, I would increase the salt to about 5 tablespoons per 5 gallons, maybe even a bit more, but increase it slowly over the course of several days. These fish like brackish water that has plenty of salt in it.

Hope that helps.

MM

Answer 2

Your green-spotted would probably like more salt in his water. They need a higher level of brackish water (almost marine as an adult). They will also get over 6" and will eventually need at least a 30 gallon tank.

The cloudiness is most likely caused by new tank syndrome. The puffer is a big feeder (and waste and ammonia producer). Normally, the beneficial bacteria in your tank will break down the wastes and convert the ammonia (which is toxic) to nitrites (also toxic) and then to nitrates. You're either using a newly set-up tank, or one that hasn't had a long enough time (or enough fish) to deal with the waste and ammonia your puffer is producing. You'll have to do partial water changes (about 1/3 to 1/2 of the volume of the tank) at least once (and maybe twice) a week. Make sure you have a heater and good filter for him, too.

You'll eventually have to keep him in a tank by himself - puffers are aggressive as they get older, and any tropical fish you may have with him now won't be able to handle the salinity he will need.

Info on green spotted puffer (they are under brackish puffers):
http://www.thepufferforum.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/

Info on tank cycling/cloudy water:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/CloudyWater.htm